Integrating Environmental Perspectives into Pavement Management

Abstract

Sustainability is characterized as a three-legged stool supported by economic, environmental, and social considerations. This paper demonstrates the feasibility of integrating environmental performance measures, one aspect of sustainable practices, into asset and pavement management. To illustrate these concepts, a Microsoft Excel workbook-based pavement construction decision support tool named Pavement Life-Cycle Assessment Tool for Environmental and Economic Effects (PaLATE) is introduced. Background information is given on life-cycle assessment (LCA) pavement construction tools. PaLATE product life-cycle and LCA phases are covered, in addition to PaLATE data and data sources. A table describing the data used for environmental calculations is included, and the use of an asphalt emulsion seal and the use of an ultrathin hot-mix asphalt overlay are compared by use of the tool. Special attention is given to recycled materials and environmental measures. Concluding remarks suggest different contexts for potential applications of PaLATE, together with network tools that can be used to meet user needs and applications as well as to address feasibility and cost.